Starting Sept. 15, visitors to the Dominican Republic will receive complimentary medical insurance during their stay and will no longer be required to provide proof of a negative PCR test upon arrival. The initiatives are part of a robust plan to help revive tourism and promote economic recovery in the Caribbean country as the COVID-19 pandemic drags on.
Designed to inspire confidence that the DR is taking health and safety seriously and is a safe destination to visit, the measures were announced in early September by Dominican president Luis Abinader Corona, with details confirmed and update last week at a meeting between tourism minister David Collado and hoteliers from the National Association of Hotels and Tourism.
“We have been working on identifying and undertaking each of the elements that need to be adjusted and addressed so that the plan continues to progress,” said Collado. “Likewise, we are also working on strengthening our tourism offerings to ensure as a destination we are prepared for success in the both the short and long term.”
The US$28-million Responsible Tourism Recovery Plan covers various aid packages for local business, creation of the government-back health insurance plan for tourists, plus another $7.1 million to guarantee air routes through an agreement with the airlines.
Among the measures with the greatest impact to be implemented starting next week, are the following:
• Travellers will not be asked for any type of test prior to entering the country, nor will massive tests be carried out upon arrival, but rather random quick tests will be performed. (This measure is expected take full effect by the end of the month).
• All tourists visiting a hotel will be granted a travel assistance plan that will include coverage for emergencies, telemedicine, lodging for prolonged stays, and costs for changing flights in the event of an infection. This insurance will be provided at no cost to the visitor until December and will be fully paid for by the Dominican state.
• A certification protocol based on better international practices through Buró Veritas, a European company that specializes in quality for the tourism industry, has already begun to be implemented across the tourism industry, including restaurants and bars.
• Social distancing and the use of masks will continue to be mandatory for the duration of a visitor’s stay.
• A Sanitary Bubble will be implemented to ensure that hotel employees stay as long as possible within the facilities. Properties will implement effective health management with suppliers, contractors and employees. The latter will be regularly tested and will follow a specific protocol to come in and out of the facilities.
“Our goal is to minimize the effects of the pandemic and facilitate a responsible recovery that prioritizes health, maximizes the potential for job creation and economic growth, and promotes the further sustainable development of the sector,” said president Corona in announcing the plan.
Collado added: “We are confident that together we will overcome the challenges of the pandemic and ensure that the Dominican Republic remains the number one destination in the region for international travellers.”
Tourism is the DR’s top foreign currency generator and attracts more than 900,000 Canadian visitors annually. As of Sept. 7, the country was reporting nearly 100,000 cases of COVID, with 72,500 recoveries and 1,845 deaths.